Hamilton says he's undergoing a 'makeover'

For the first time since his relapse, Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton answered questions on Wednesday, speaking with his Pastor, Dr. James Robison, on GBTV.com, the online home of right-wing political commentator Glenn Beck.

Hamilton said he was undergoing a "Josh Hamilton makeover," going to "one-on-one" counseling, as well as counseling sessions with his wife, Katie.

"I'm doing good. I'm well, my family's well. We're taking this as a serious issue," Hamilton said. "I had a slip-up in '09 and moving past that, it was, 'OK, I'm fine. It was one night, everything's over.' We didn't really move back towards what cause me to slip-up, why did I all of a sudden choose to do this? And it happened again.

"This time, it's not just, 'OK, it happened, we'll move past it and maybe it won't happen again.' We want to find out why it continues to happen. It's not on a regular basis, but whether it's things in my life, whether it's stress or home things, or whatever the case may be, those things might be a trigger."

Hamilton said his faith will be the focus of the makeover.

"It's going to be a process," Hamilton said. "I'm not fixed. I'm doing things right a day at a time. I can always use prayer from people."

He spoke about his relationship with his wife and daughters, and that he was concentrating on communicating with them better. He said that's improved since his relapse.

"It has been a special time," Hamilton said. "The communication the last one-and-a-half weeks has been more than there has been in the past eight years. I'm not saying I haven't been communicating but it has been more meaningful communication."

He didn't shy from taking responsibility or having to live in the public eye.

"Thank you to everyone who has been supporting me," Hamilton said. "You guys know my heart, and I think you sense that. Me, personally, I'm going to do everything I can do to break these walls down and become a better man, a role model, and someone your little ones can to and want to strive to be like one day -- a man who is not perfect, but admits to his mistakes and wants to get better."

Hamilton says he's undergoing a 'makeover'

agree drank 13-43 got sober and my life is a dream comparedto all the blackouts, hangovers ruined 2 families, but i am 72and with wonderful wife...no one can possible understand the

pits of severe alcoholism unless they have tried it PLease don't

Since: Sep 24, 2006

Posted on: February 21, 2012 12:05 am

Hamilton says he's undergoing a 'makeover'

he is a loser

Since: Jan 16, 2008

Posted on: February 17, 2012 1:54 pm

Hamilton says he's undergoing a 'makeover'

Speaking from experience, I understand how hard it is to deny yourself something that you have consumed for a significant period of time. Alcohol has damaged me both physically and physiologically. Those who aren't addicted can't (even if they wanted to) possibly understand the need for relief from withdrawl. That being said, it is and always will be one's own responsibility to suffer through those symptoms until one day they lapse.

Labeling this a "relapse" is an excuse to make Hamilton and everyone else (including myself) feel better about what they did. By doing this Hamilton and anyone who suffers from addiction will surely do it again because psycologically they know it was just a "relapse." It is important to not beat a person when they are down but it is counter-productive to describe it as anything other than shameful. Everyone suffers thorough heartaches and stress. That is why healthy people lose themselves in family and friends-not drugs or alcohol.

Since: Oct 22, 2007

Posted on: February 17, 2012 8:37 am

Hamilton says he's undergoing a 'makeover'

It's amazing to me how many people will ignore decades of medical and scientific research into alcoholism and addiction just because it doesn't align with what they want to think is true. Wow....I guess the war on science continues.

Addiction is a disease whether one likes it or not. Just because it may not look exactly like other diseases one is used to isn't proof that it's not a disease, it just serves to illustrate how diseases come in different shapes or forms. And plenty of diseases are caused, initiated or affected by one's choices. Diabetes, heart disease, cancer....all of those arise due to choices one makes in their life.

Since: Dec 23, 2007

Posted on: February 17, 2012 5:56 am

Hamilton says he's undergoing a 'makeover'

He's just a very rich drug addict looking for someone to help obtain his drug of choice.. He has no commitment to being drug free....

Since: Sep 20, 2006

Posted on: February 16, 2012 10:17 pm

Hamilton says he's undergoing a 'makeover'

The difference in addiction and disease is simple; addiction is caused by people making the CHOICE to consume what eventually addicts them. They cannot contract the "disease" of addiction any other way. Addicts knew they were drinking or taking drugs, and were intoxicated by them, long before they were addicted. So, there is clear choice, and an extended period of time where prevention of addiction is a certainty. No one chooses addiction, but they choose the behavior that CAUSES it, every time.

People with diseases like lymphoma, pancreatic cancer or alzheimers didn't get a choice, or the opportunity to prevent it.

Josh Hamilton doesn't have a disease. He has a behavioral disorder that manifests into physical symptoms, but addiction is far more psychological than physiolgical in both cause AND cure.

The facts are, Josh Hamilton has been given repeated second chances after failures his entire life, specifically because he was an elite althlete. One day, he'll retire, and no one will find it neccessary to protect their investment in him with an "accountability coach", and his second chances and public sympathy, will be over. It would be a good idea between now and then, if he learned what everyone has denied him so far- that "responsibility" means to learn that repeated mistakes often end opportunities, and sometimes lives, and that no one can protect him from himself, but him. Blaming anything or anyone else, or expecting unconditional forgiveness, is just an excuse to avoid responsibility.

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Since: Aug 2, 2011

Posted on: February 16, 2012 6:59 pm

Hamilton says he's undergoing a 'makeover'

If Hamilton can work out the reason he has relapsed, that means he will be able to change his lifestyle to, if not exclude it, at least minimise the chances that he will relapse again.

It certainly will be long road, and will be a struggle, however, being back out playing baseball will certainly help him in his 'makeover' and recovery in the short term.

Addiction is not a disease as has been said, however it IS an illness, and like any illness the time it takes to help someone feel better will vary but hopefully with his experiences and as a public figure, he will be able to help others face up to their problems whether it be with alcohol or drugs or another addiction. The addictions may be different but the process of trying to beat the addiction is to all intense and purposes the same.

Since: Sep 30, 2008

Posted on: February 16, 2012 5:29 pm

Hamilton says he's undergoing a 'makeover'

I truly believe that Josh wants to do the right thing in his heart. I have never been an alcoholic or drug addict, but I'm sure such an addiction can be like walking with the devil on your shoulder. I give Josh credit for his honesty. I heard a quote recently that "the power of sin is in secrecy." How many of us walk around with secret sins that cause us guilt and distress? At least Josh is willing to admit his weakness and seek help when he fails. God bless him and his family.

Since: Dec 22, 2011

Posted on: February 16, 2012 3:49 pm

Hamilton says he's undergoing a 'makeover'

Yeah Right!

Since: Sep 1, 2009

Posted on: February 16, 2012 3:14 pm

Hamilton says he's undergoing a 'makeover'

Who doesnt root for Josh Hamilton? The guy's story tells like a mix between Mickey Mantle and The Natural but only more human. He is great for baseball and great for this country.